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KHARIJITE'S DOCTRINE OF CALIPHATE

The only concept of Kharijites attracting the modem revisionists is their theory about the Caliphate. They had a democratic ideology. They said, "Caliphate should be achieved by election. The best qualified to it is the one who has the qualities of faith and reticence. May be he is a Qureishite or non-Qureishite. May be he is from a notable or an insignificant and backward tribe, or is an Arab or a non-Arab".

If after election or receiving the allegiance, he (the Caliph) acts contrary to the interests of Islamic society, he is to be dismissed from Caliphate, and if he refuses to do so, war must be waged against him till he is killed.

They stand in opposition to the Shiahs who say that Caliphate is pre-ordained by Allah and the Caliph is appointed by God alone. They stand in opposition to Sunnis as well who say that the Caliphate is only for the Qureishites and adhere to (the tradition that) "The Imams must be from the Qureish".

Obviously their idea about the Caliphate, is not contemporaneous with their origin. Rather it proceeds from their famous slogan," (Command is from none except Allah)". They were originally adherents of the view that the people and society do not stand in need of an Imam or a government they should of themselves follow the Book of Allah.

But subsequently they retraced and they themselves confided allegiance in Abdullah bin Wahb Raasbee.